This has been an interesting week to try to take pictures. The temperature has ranged between the 20’s to the 60’s (F). We’ve had wind and rain and a little snow and occasionally some sun.

My most frustrating moment came when I had the chance to get the shot I have been after all summer. I have spotted a pileated woodpecker a few times but always far away. Yesterday, it taunted me. It would fly just far enough ahead of me so that I couldn’t get a shot and then it flew off into the denser part of the woods. While I was taking a long-range shot of a chickadee — the pileated woodpecker flew in front of my face — landed a few feet away — as I scrambled to get my camera off telephoto and focus — it flew off and every time I thought I had it in focus it would move around the other side of a tree. And yes — it did the Woody the Woodpecker laugh as it flew by my face.

Enjoy — lots of bird photos, a few sunsets, some moments with nature and a birthday boy.

We have a pair of pileated woodpeckers in our back yard– I think they had a nest there— people said– we don’t have pileated woodpeckers in this area—- well — I’m sorry BUT we do– they live in our back yard!!! 🙂 I have gotten a few pictures of them– Gary hangs suet for them– in the back yard!! They are so awesome to watch!!!

They DO live in Missouri except the most NW tip of the state. They range most of the Eastern US up to Canada — but not widespread throughout that region. It’s fun that you have pictures of them and still people argue about it. They don’t seem to be common in our area — I see more Bald Eagles than Pileated Woodpeckers. They are toooo cool. 🙂

We have a pair of bald eagles that have a nest not far from our marina here on Lake Taneycomo– & we have tried to get pictures of them– but we have not been able to get any GOOD shots– love the Bald Eagles also!!

Yesterday, when it flashed by my face being very raucous as it did so and then took off again — the first thing I did was laugh. I had chased it all over the woods for almost and hour and when I surrendered my need to “capture” it on film there it was. This is the lesson I have worked on for a long time — trust that what I need will be there at the perfect time and to let go over obsessing needing something at my demand. As I read your comment, I got chills because that is exactly what the woodpecker has done all summer. It flies just beyond my vision and as I try to walk toward it — it flies just beyond again. For three weeks I have worked on doing a “spiritual cleanse” — I guess this my sign that I have to go even deeper. Sometime maybe you can explain how you learn of your totems to me? 😀

I can hear Woody Woodpecker laughing now. Sometimes I think those wild critters know that we are trying to get a picture. They pose and then just as we push the button, they move away. Great photos as always.

This happens to be all the time. And often I will be focused on a bird that is way up high and far away — I finally give up and there right next to me has been one of it’s kin watching me the whole time and then of course it takes off. Glad you enjoyed. 🙂